I want to share some software that I stumbled on that is real interesting and easy to use: http://www.femm.info/wiki/HomePage

With it you can simulate magnetic fields and all sorts of other things. It takes very little time to learn how to at least do basic simulations. For example I did a 2D simulation of the magnetic field that the aluminum dampening slug experiences:
peachyfemm.jpg

All I needed to do to make this was install the software, watch a twelve minute tutorial on YouTube, then work on it for probably under ten minutes. It is really really simple. I am now trying to design a more powerful magnetic dampening system. I think that there is huge room for improvement here!